Al Qaeda 3.0
 

A CIA view
Al Qaeda 3.0: Terrorism’s Emergent New Power Bases - The Daily Beast

There may be no other factor that will impact African travel more than the ongoing expansion of salafism. The outcome in northern Mali is important.

Btw, I just heard yesterday that a rascal in Tam named Rasta who offered his services to me as a guide in 2009 is in jail for attempting to kidnap tourists. :eek3:

This is exactly what worries me about the guiding requirement in Algeria. You don't know who you are really dealing with and you don't know what anyone else knows about your itinerary. In one of the trips I did in the south in Algeira with complusory guides, we got stuck with a bloke who made it plain he didn't like tourists and didn't think they should be in the Sahara. It made for a worrying few weeks - especially when he went off at night time in his car when we were in the middle of the desert. There were times when I expected the worst.

Africa needs funds for military intervention in Mali. "It does not peaceful operation. This operation will be war.", said in UN Council.

The African Union has asked the UN to fund military action in Mali, after Ban Ki-Moon supported the mission, but without funding. To operations against Islamic militants will not be there for at least a year.

After Malian premier Cheick Modibo Diarra was at home arrested by soldiers former head military coup Amadou Sanogo, is today resigned. Withdrawal is messages in a statement for national TV, considerations, however, did not adduce, reported the French Press Agency AFP.

Now we'll see if it will act resulted resolute military action in the occupied areas under the control of AQIM. In the following days could be very dangerous in Bamako and surrounding areas.

United Nations Security Council approved a resolution authorizing the African countries for military intervention in northern Mali. UN Security Council Resolution established a mission to support Mali (AFISMA). For now, they do not yet know how many units will have a mission, nor which countries will contribute its soldiers. Most likely, it will be from West Africa (ECOWAS) to establish such a mission already calling in the past. Mission was also supported by the African Union. According to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Herve Ladsous, should lead to military intervention in September or October 2013.

Soldiers believed to be from the French army's special operations forces destroyed an arms depot in northern Mali in a secret operation carried out on December 13th, El Khabar reported.
The overnight operation targeted hidden anti-aircraft missiles and ended with the destruction of an arms depot 20km east of the Amashash military base [near Tessalit], where unidentified military aircraft and reconnaissance planes were seen flying, according to the Algerian daily.
"The military site, which belonged to the Malian army in the past, was fully destroyed by an unknown armed group wearing military uniforms," El Khabar added. "The guards who were defending the arms depot were killed.

more:
Maghreb countries boost border security (Magharebia.com)

With Sanogo resisting intervention and the Malian army more incompetent than ever, and an Ecowas intervention put off until September 2013, I believe we will see a lot of these undercover operations from Burkina or Mauri. Inaction is not an alternative.

A Frenchman was kidnapped the other day in northern Nigeria. Thatnin spite of being in a heavily guarded compound. It ewas attacked by over thirty armed men.

Some info on current state of affairs from Mali/Bamako from French Foreign Legion (current/former?) based in Bamako working in "security".

scroll down to poster "MAIM" to find it:

Mali & Sahel - the French are back!!

The Government of Mali has declared an emergency in the central part of the country with the help of French army and ECOWAS carried out successfully counter offensive, which prevented the progression of Islamists against the south of the country.

The Malian army has confirmed that took control in Kona from the Islamists. Army representatives have confirmed that the Islamists halt the advance to the south.

France, which has supported the military intervention Malian government against the Islamists, the third day of continued air strikes in the country. Transmission began on Friday, when the Malian army with the help of French combat helicopters and fighters drove out Islamists from Konna strategic position in the center of the country. On Sunday, the French aircraft attacked the city of Gao in eastern Mali, and thus encroach further into the territory of Islamists.

Reuters

France 24 reporting Diabaly attacked by jihadists - about 400km up the Segou, Nioro road from Bamako. Other sources are reporting French jets bombing in this area too.

Al Jazeera (English) TV are running some detailed reporting and commentary on this.
Various commentators have speculated on the current policy of the French Government, including their "exit strategy" from Mali.

A major shift when the US is pulling out of Afghanistan while the French are moving into Mali.

Avoiding the Wars That Never End | Stratfor

Three terrorists reported killed and two wounded in Algerian Tadrart
Trois terroristes abattus et deux autres blessés à Djanet - International - El Watan

More kidnapping in Algeria!
People killed and up to eight foreigners being kidnapped from an oil installation In Aménas, on the border to Libya.
Attaque terroriste à In Aménas : Trois ressortissants étrangers enlevés à Tiguentourine - Actualité - El Watan

:(

Foreigners 'abducted' by Islamist militants in Algeria
 

BBC:
Foreigners 'abducted' by Islamist militants in Algeria
Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and several foreigners abducted in an attack on a gas facility at In Amenas in the east of the country.

BBC News - Foreigners 'abducted' by Islamist militants in Algeria